Arizona...Day 2 Sedona

Our favorite part of our trip to Arizona was the day went rented our Jeep Rubicon named Tiffany.  We all had a blast exploring areas of the desert one wouldn't normally see if it weren't for renting a Jeep or going on a Jeep tour.  We decided to rent one instead of a tour and we're so glad we did.  We could go at our own pace and we got to see so much more for the same price.

Interesting looking cactus.

At one point we parked our jeep and went on a hike to Devil's Bridge.

Probably the best hike we've done but Julia was tired and not interested into going to the top but she hung in there and did it.

Cool place to take a break.

Andrew was amazing on this hike and was ready to go.

Resting and taking in the sights.

Absolutely amazing!

Great views all around.

More natural beauty.

Andrew taking a break.  Sometimes there was a path and sometimes there were stairs.

So worth the hike...Devil's Bridge!  Obviously, we held on tight to our kids on Devil's Bridge and kept them right by our side.

We were so thrilled we made it and didn't turn around too soon.

Just the boys.

Devil's Bridge in the background.

Making our way back down.

After the kids napped we headed back out for another Jeep ride to Broken Arrow.

Out on our next adventure.  

I hopped out and ran ahead to take some photos to see what we were driving over.

Lots of cool photos.

This just gives an idea of the places we traveled.

This picture is so cool!

Another cool one of the jeep going over huge rocks.

Around the corner and Julia gives me a thumbs up.

This place is called Submarine Rock.

We had the whole place to ourselves for a while.  Not another person in sight.

Feeling more energetic after a nap.

Scenery

Julia took this photo and she did quite well.

Just having fun.

Tiffany hanging out in the desert.

Enjoying our Arizona vacation.

Team Brown visits Sedona, Arizona.

Love these two kids.  They were great travels and hikers even though we were all tired from a long day of traveling the day before.

More great views.

Hanging on the back of the jeep!

Of course Andrew wanted to hang on the back of the jeep too!

Andrew being sweet.

Jumping for joy.

Jumping for joy too!

The views were absolutely AMAZING!

Pushing the jeep just for fun.

Hello from Arizona.

What a great day we had and our vacation continues.

This is known as the stairs and yes we took our jeep down it.  I videoed going down and I laughed the whole way...it was so much fun!  Nice and slow!

Thomas did awesome driving our jeep and navigating the terrain and keeping us safe.  The jeep ride was one of the best vacation things we've done as a family...so much fun and excitement.

Arizona...Day 1

We started our summer off by going on vacation to Arizona.  We flew into Phoenix, Arizona and rented a car and drove up to Sedona where we stayed for two nights.  We're all excited about this trip since none of us have been to Arizona.  Traveling on the airport train is even fun for Julia and Andrew.

We made it to Arizona and had a great flight.

There was a brush fire near the highway and the highway shut down.  After sitting there for a while we turned around and took more of a scenic route which provided great views of the desert.

We had to get a saguaro cactus photo!

We traveled on this dirt road for quite a while...good thing we had a Jeep Grand Cherokee as our rental.

Finally we made it to Sedona, Arizona.  We absolutely loved it there.

Enjoying the views while waiting for our pizza dinner and then we'll head to the hotel.  Arizona is three hours behind and after a day of traveling we're exhausted.  We're excited to see what tomorrow brings on our Arizona vacation.

Making Slime with Dad

 Slime has been such a big thing lately and Julia has watched u tube videos about making slime and has really wanted to make her own. Daddy agreed to do this with the kids since it wasn't my thing at all.  They went to the store and bought supplies and made their own slime.

 Having fun and being silly.

 They say it feels so cool and they love playing with it...me on the other hand can do without it.

Obviously they had a blast and now we have purple and green slime.

Julia's Award and End of Year Party

 Hard to believe but another school year has come to an end.  We were so excited to attend Julia's Poetry Cafe and Award Ceremony followed by her end of the year party.  Each student wrote a collection of poems and they chose one to read aloud to the parents.  Julia read her color poem aloud which was about the color blue.

 Award time...I love her smile of excitement in this photo.

 Julia was given the Excellent Effort Award along with a friend named Sarah.  We're super proud of her!

 Glad we could all be there to support of little girl.

After the awards was the entire second grade party.  The kids could go between any of the second grade classrooms.  Each classroom was set up with different activities and the kids had a blast.  One room was set up with games, or dancing, or crafts, or decorating rocks, or bubbles and sidewalk chalk outside, etc.  I was helping out in the game room where many kids loved the game Pie Face.  I snapped a picture of her friend Calder as he played.

 Julia mostly went around with her best friend from second grade Landry Rose.

 Big hugs for her brother.

 Some of her friends from her classroom.  Julia, Jennifer, and Anna Katherine

Julia and Landry Rose with their matching water bottles.  Aren't they so cute?

Sweet & Sassy Party

Julia had a blast at Grace's Sweet & Sassy birthday party.  First up was getting her make-up done.

The birthday girl Grace.

Next up...hair.

What a great looking group of kids.  All jazzed up!

Looking stylish in her shades...peace!  

So much fun getting all dazzled.

A little runway walking.

Then onto some fun dancing!

More dancing.

And even more dancing.

Then onto limbo...how low can you go.

So glad these two girls are still good friends since preschool even though they go to different schools.  Yes, Julia's teeth are covered in icing from the yummy cookie cake.  Happy Birthday Grace!  

Julia's Gymnastics Jubilee

This year Julia wanted to try out gymnastics.  She's done dance since she was two and she was ready to do something new.  Proud of Julia for wanting to try something new and working hard at it.  Initially she couldn't do a bridge but once the six week classes were up she was able to do the bridge at the Gymnastics Jubilee which is what they call their end of season performance for parents.  She was so proud of herself and so were we!